Patagonia Shelf Hydrographic CTD Data from 2005-2006 Cruises

Three oceanographic cruises collected CTD and thermosalinograph data to study seasonal variability in the southwest South Atlantic continental shelf. The GEF Patagonia project, funded by UNDP, GEF, and IAI, conducted these expeditions aboard the R/V ARA PUERTO DESEADO. Measurements span a latitudinal range from 38° to 55°S, covering the shelf and the onshore edge of western boundary currents.

Use Cases

• Analyzing seasonal changes in water column structure using temperature and salinity profiles.
• Mapping cross-shelf gradients of physical-chemical properties along specific cruise sections.
• Calibrating and validating satellite-derived sea surface temperature and salinity models for the region.
• Studying the influence of western boundary currents on shelf ecosystems using hydrographic station data.

Strengths

• Data captures seasonal variability across three distinct cruises in October 2005, March 2006, and September 2006.
• Geographic coverage is specific, spanning the continental shelf from 38° to 55°S latitude.
• Project involves multiple authoritative sponsors, including UNDP, the Argentine government, and the Global Environment Facility.

Limitations

• Critical metadata such as row count, column names, file size, and license are unavailable across all platforms.
• A conflict exists on the 'last updated' date, with one source listing 2006-09 25 and another listing 2026-03-06, suggesting potential metadata errors.

Provenance

Source

United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and Secretary of Environment and Sustainable Development of Argentina, with funding from GEF and IAI.

Collection Method

Oceanographic cruises using CTD and thermosalinograph instruments aboard the R/V ARA PUERTO DESEADO.

Time Range

2005 to 2006

Freshness

2026-03-06 00:04:58.072948

Geography

Coastal South Atlantic, specifically the southwest South Atlantic continental shelf between 38° and 55°S.